Book Review- Culture Shift:The Battle for the Moral Heart of America

Culture Shift: The Battle for  the Moral Heart of America by R. Albert Mohler Jr. . (Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, 2008,2011).  185 pages reviewed.

Culture Shift is a thoughtful and challenging collection of essays written by the author that address numerous areas of cultural interest. Addressing “shifts” in the moral view of issues like the law, political correctness, terrorism, education, evolution and others, Mohler offers an informed perspective on the changes occurring in how Americans view these issues. The book, written from a Christian worldview, addresses culture “head-on” and gives insights worthy of consideration for thoughtful Christians. Mohler brings a historical perspective and writes as a “balanced advocate,” meaning he advocates a Christian worldview and response, but is careful to present culture accurately…and does not shy away from “weaknesses” in the traditional “Christian” position on issues.

This is not a minister’s “rant” on the demise of culture; rather, it is a thoughtful analysis of culture, influence, and the Christian’s responsibility. The tone is cordial. The assertions are gracious. The assumptions are limited and well documented.

As a pastor, I picked up the book as part of my research for an upcoming project. It has stimulated my thinking and inspired me to action in a couple of key areas of my work. I recommend the book to professional minister and lay person alike. It sounds a clarion call to action without taking an alarmist tone.

Thank you Dr. Mohler! An asset to my library.

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as part of their blogger’s book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Book Review: Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow

Why Men Hate Going to Church, by David Murrow  (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005,  2011). 239 pages.

One of the indisputable facts about church leadership is the fact that (as a whole) the church is not as successful in reaching men as it is in reaching women. Murrow addresses this matter “head-on” in his book and looks for reasons WHY this is (and subsequently how to address the disparity…if one believes it should be changed).

There were a number of key observations that caught my attention…as a pastor, and as one who desires to see men grow to become all that God designed for them to be. First…he noted that there is a great deficit of African-American men in the Church, yet they comprise some 90% of converts from the United States to Islam…and the overwhelming number of them as adults (p.27). This demonstrates that these men are not less “spiritually minded; rather, that there must be some feature in Islam that is more “attractive” (or as Murrow seems to argue…a feature in Islam that is less unattractive than in the church).

Another observation that Murrow makes in many different ways…in the fact that within the church there is an overwhelming disparity between the genders when it comes to who serves/leads and how decisions are made. He notes that the men who excel in the church do so by exhibiting characteristics that are “softened masculinity.” [Now I write this as a man who leads in the church, so I promise you it is not self-serving.] Men (with a few exceptions) who excel do so by softening the rugged “edge” that men have as an innate characteristic and thus by appealing to the senses of the women. Concern for “feelings” and “unity” are placed above vision and mission. He cites as an outworking of this a perversion of the biblical image of Jesus…where He is transformed from a manly carpenter to an effeminate peace activist who simply values love and peace above all else.

Now before you conclude that Murrow is just on a rant (which I think he embraces at parts in the book)…he offers some suggestions and a plethora of indicators that one can use to examine an individual congregation. Further, he offers insights from churches that tend to focus on reaching MEN and are doing it well. (He notes that those who do so…also see increases in women and children.)

Critically speaking, I think that Murrow draws a few shaky conclusions from his observations. I certainly can see how he arrives at his conclusions, but some of them seem to be based in an a priori argument. Still, I found the book to be engaging, thought-provoking, and instructive. It will serve me well as I continue to seek to reach men and women with the Gospel. Overall, I agree with most everything that he says and would encourage church leaders, ministry leaders, and students of human psychology to read and consider his observations with an open mind. I found my time “well-spent” in reading this book.  

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Point of Clarity: LDS and Rhetoric

With the leading Republican nominee being a professing and active member of the LDS (Latter Day Saints/ Mormon) church, we are hearing significant interest by onlookers as to how evangelical Christians view the faith system. While I have personal reservations about the “motives” of the questions, the topic is important enough to speak to it…because discerning Christians should always be able to “give a defense” for what we believe (1 Peter 3:15).

The underlying question is whether we, as believers, should support a candidate who is not an evanglical Christian. It is a strange questions since no one asks if a person is faithful as an evanglical. Is it more “dangerous” or “unsavory” to have a candidate who is non-evangelical…or a “baptist” who can’t define what “is” is? Truthfully…we need to move the conversation beyond the labels and see what a person believes (worldview), how that affects his/her decision making, and then exercise STEWARDSHIP over what God has entrusted to us as Christian believers with a fundamental right to vote.

HERE is a helpful comparison page on some of the major differences between Historic Christianity and Mormonism. (NOTE: Just because something is historic doesn’t make it right or wrong. Be willing to examine the doctrines themselves and compare them to the Scriptures. If they are correct, then embrace them.)

HERE is a great article written by Dr. Ed Stetzer who is a “mentor at a distance” to me. [By that I mean that his work has been helpful and we have met a couple of times. I read his books and require them for reading in the classes I teach on subjects like church planting and missions. Ed and I do not exchange Christmas cards...but I would if he would send me an address   ].

One of the most helpful parts of Stetzer’s article is the call for clarity on the language we use. To use the term “cult” (which we are hearing and will be hearing more if in the days ahead) is to invite empassioned responses. (Images of Waco or Jim Jones come to mind). Since this is not the goal of well-intentioned commentators or even pastors like me, it is more useful to grab a term that communicates our goal.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, I do not believe that the teachings of the LDS Faith are consistent with the Bible. I do not believe that people who hold to the orthodox teachings of the LDS church are “believers” as the Bible speaks of believers and therefore I do not believe that the LDS faith teaches or experiences Salvation as it is described or promised in the Bible. So…I do not believe that members of the LDS faith are “Christian” as we use and understand the word (since it communicates by definition that one is a “follower of Christ”). You cannot rightfully claim to be a follower of Christ and not follow Christ in His life and teachings. Jesus spoke differently of Himself than the teachings of the Mormon church portray.

At the same time, I would argue that the teachings of Mormonism are moral, in the same way that Islam and Buddhism or even some others are moral. What we know though is that religion is not a utilitarian tool to foster morality. It is a system that teaches people how to relate to God in truth. I can legislate morality but I cannot legislate a relationship with God.

My charge to you who read along here…don’t fall into the trap of using incendiary words that do not further the conversation. Don’t get drawn into a soundbite that ultimately hurts the cause of Christ. Here is what Christ wants from you and me as an ultimate goal…that we would faithfully proclaim the gospel in a way that exalts God, reconciles men, and doesn’t erect artificial barriers to salvation.

At the same time…let’s not be so “flippant” in our use of words that we lose the meaning of what it is to be a “Christian.” The United States is not a Christian nation. 80% of Americans are not Christians (though they would claim to be even though they have no biblical connection to Jesus). Someone is not a Christian simply because he says so. One is a Christian if he follows after Christ.

Lest I be misquoted or misunderstood: Do not read this and think that I “hate” mormons. I love them. I have friends who are in the LDS church. We disagree about Jesus but our children have common interests and we relate to one another. I always desire for them to be changed/converted/saved and to follow Jesus as Lord. I do not apologize for that. I desire that because I love them. Further, I do not feel superior toward people in the LDS church or any other faith system. Were it not for the grace of God and the love and care of people in my life who told me the truth about Jesus, I would be just as separated from God as every non-Christian on the planet…and that is the majority. I do not see myself in an elitest way; rather, I see myself as a servant of Christ and therefore, an agent of the Kingdom and a friend to those whom Jesus loved and died for. As such, I serve others…even (and especially) those who have yet to experience the love of Christ in the same way I have.

Book Review: The Fight of our Lives, by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn

The Fight of our Lives: Knowing the Enemy, Speaking the Truth&Choosing to win the War against Radical Islam, by William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn. (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2011). 186 pages.

Book Description

Want to know the dirty little secret in the war on terror? Some of us have already surrendered.

Since the dreadful events of 9/11, America has waged an international war on terrorism. But are we prepared to win, or are we practicing surrender? We have foiled dozens of terrorist attacks since then. But while the Fort Dix terrorists were stopped, an Islamist terrorist at Fort Hood unleashed hell on American servicemen. Despite Maj. Nidal Hasan’s shouting “Allahu Akbar” as he pulled the trigger, the official Pentagon report refused to mention Islam or use the word Muslim. And said the army chief of staff, “As horrific as this tragedy was, if our diversity becomes a casualty, I think that’s worse.” As William J. Bennett and Seth Leibsohn show, for lack of clarity, conviction, and determination, America is on the verge of declaring preemptive cultural surrender in the war on terror. The Fight of Our Lives will reinvigorate the discussion and embolden those who wish to win the war on terror.

Whatever your thoughts about Bill Bennett, you have to admire his candor, courage and conviction in this book. With direct and unfiltered honesty, the authors address the culture in the West is it relates to political correctness, utopian idealism, and radical Islam.

The authors provide insight into the current posture of American society as compared to previous generations and previous conflicts. They strike at the heart of the “PC” culture and observe that the desire to appear inclusive and open-minded has undermined the will to win the war against terrorism, and thus threatens the survival of our nation, our national ideals, and even democracy itself.

This book is a wake-up call which alerts the read to pay careful attention to the choice of words used by those in leadership, in media, and in the culture.

A national conscience is shaped by the rhetoric that it is exposed to. Since the majority of the citizenry is (presumably) not deeply informed nor vigilant against subtle shifts in the conversation, those who hold the microphone are shaping the views of the American populace. The media and (seemingly) the political leadership are operating according to an agenda that is far different than those which have secured our freedoms for centuries.

I consider this one of the most important books to read this year. Whether one agrees with the viewpoint taken by the authors or not, their methodology is solid, their observations…unimpeachable.

I highly recommend this book!

You can purchase a copy at your local bookstore or through Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A perspective regarding Bin Laden

Late last night, I was having trouble sleeping so I got up to read. My son, Dillon, shared with me that I had just missed a Presidential news conference announcing that the United States had conducted an operation and “killed Bin Laden.”

Now as I put my cards on the table here…let me try to communicate clearly…especially since I haven’t had any coffee yet.

I watched some of the coverage last night and saw celebration and rallies over his death outside of the White House. Honestly…it was a bit “creepy” to me. It reminded me of images of “Black Hawk Down” or some other less civilized response from people toward the death of another.

Now I am not some Birkenstocks wearing hippie peace activist. (If you know me…you know that). I am a Christ-follower…which means I represent Jesus in my actions and I reflect Him in my thoughts and words (at least this is my goal).

I am thankful that this man was brought to justice (Prov 21:15). I have many friends who have been, are, or will be “down range” fighting the war on terror. Bin Laden was a religious fanatic who saw in his religious creeds a justification to kill people not like himself and then to hide in a hole while telecasting that there would be more killing (the textbook definition of a terrorist). I am thankful that one of the more evil figures of human history will no longer terrorize people by his actions or words.

This being said…Bin Laden’s problem was that he was unredeemed…a lost man…far from God. He died separated from God…meaning that God will not receive his worship and Bin Laden will never know the mercy and love of God. This doesn’t make me want to celebrate…it grieves me. Were it not for the grace of God…I would be far from God.

I am not saddened that justice was served. For this I am thankful. I am thankful for the men who stepped into harm’s way to hunt him and bring him to justice. They left their families and risked their lives to protect the freedom I enjoy. They continue to do so…since their mission is far from over. Other…evil men…will rise up. I am thankful for the sense of closure and comfort from it that some will receive in the furtherance of justice.

I am saddened that the images of the American response to the news might communicate that all are rejoicing and celebrating in the streets. I do not celebrate in the streets that a man will be eternally separated from God. He is no more and no less deserving of the GRACE of God than I am.

I close with a Proverb:

Proverbs 24:17–20 (NASB95)

¹⁷Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, And do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles;

¹⁸Or the Lord will see it and be displeased, And turn His anger away from him.

¹⁹Do not fret because of evildoers Or be envious of the wicked;

²⁰For there will be no future for the evil man; The lamp of the wicked will be put out.

God is just and He is righteous and He holds all evil to account. Others…and our own.

What say you?

Great post from JD Greear on Christians and Alcohol

Hey guys,

Check out this post from JD Greear’s blog on the subject of alcohol consumption and Christian discipleship.

I found the post to be well thought out and the comments to the post to be revealing.

You can access the post HERE, and then drop back by and share your thoughts with me. Love to hear where you “land” on the subject.

So…How would Jesus Vote?

This may be better stated, “How will believers vote on behalf of Jesus” in the upcoming mid-term elections.

We live in an incredibly blessed country where we are allowed the privilege of speaking into the process of government. Some Christians think that “render unto Caesar…” precludes believers from having a very active role to play in government. Actually…the truth is far from this.

Believers are to represent Christ as His ambassador wherever they find themselves. We represent Him when we shop at the market, in the way we treat our employees, when we complete and sign our income tax returns, and when we interact with our neighbors. How we VOTE is no less a representation of Jesus.

Sometimes, I am asked…”who should I vote for on…?” Truthfully, my answer is nearly always the same. I can tell you who I am voting for and why…but only God can tell you who you should vote for. A pastor is not a Union Boss or a power broker seeking to influence elections. He is a man who issues a clarion call in every situation for the believers to embrace righteousness (Matthew 6:33) and for the unbeliever to repent in light of God’s rule and reign (Matthew 4:17).

As such, I often ask myself, “Who would Jesus vote for?” I believe there is a close connection between the candidate and the issues…and the vote Jesus would have us to cast. I know that Jesus would not have us vote our “checkbook” or “pocketbook.” He told us to not worry about our needs in life, since God is all-powerful and would certainly provide as we sought after Him and His will.

I imagine if Jesus were to cast a ballot, it would relate more to the morality of humankind, than the condition of the economy. It is not that having good morality “gets” us to God; rather…He would focus there because an absence of moral action ALWAYS results in suffering, struggle, strife…and ultimately…judgment. So, He would care more about abortion than social security. He would care more about integrity than immigration policy.

So, should a believer be active in the democracy where he lives? I certainly believe He should. I also think that the believer should cast a ballot for the interests that reflect the heart and teachings of God.

Someone might say…”My ballot is my own. I will cast it as I see fit.” While it is true that no one accompanies you into the voting booth…and it is also true that our laws prevent any coercion in your casting a ballot. At the same time…it is also true that no believer is an island unto Himself, nor is he self-directed. We all are seen in every action by our Lord and He has a specific will.

Success in life is to discern the will of God and then to do it. Remember…”righteousness exalts a nation.”

A Example of Discernment and Parental Responsibility

This post may seem a bit random, but I was perusing some of Mark Driscoll’s videos recently and came across this commentary on “the Twilight Series.” It brought to mind some of the strange looks Jodi and I used to get over some parenting choices we would make for our sons. (As a sidenote…we never have had a philosophy of “isolation” but one of “insulation.” I don’t want my kids to live in a vacuum or bubble. When we require this…they go to college without any context or experience…and anything goofy can happen. We wanted to insulate them…or give them context behind the culture they were experiencing so they would be equipped to discern it and not be overtaken by it. As a result…we didn’t play with certain trading cards, or read certain novels, etc. Not because we wanted our kids to be weird…but because they were just opposed to the insulation we were seeking to build. They weren’t for us.)

So, here is a video clip that Driscoll did on the Twilight Series and he brings a viewpoint that is helpful for those of us who need to stay sharp at discernment! That is our job as parents, leaders, and older believers.

Here is the clip. I hope you will watch it and then share your impressions. If you think he is overreacting…say it. If he is on the money…say it. Let’s discuss your thoughts.

Are Legalism and License “opposites” or cousins?

JD Greear does it again. Here is an article from JD Greear who is one of the leading voices in the contemporary North American church. He is a respected pastor, professor, and leader in the SBC.

I have been working through the subject of legalism and license for many months now…and I found this article today as I was doing some early reading. I think Dr. Greear’s insights are pretty good. I would love to hear your thoughts….

You can access the article HERE. Then, please drop back by to share your thoughts.

Book Review, From the Shop Floor to the Top Floor:Releasing the CEO Within

Book Review: From the Shop Floor to the Top Floor: Releasing the CEO Within, by Wes Cantrell. (Bloomington, IN: Crossbooks, 2009), 133 pages reviewed.

In his latest book Wes Cantrell shares his personal “rags to riches” story of his career at Lanier Worldwide. To declare a bias, I am a personal fan of Mr. Cantrell, having worked for his company several years back.

The book details leadership principles that Cantrell learned and applied throughout his career. Each one is accentuated with a personal story and the context of family. He speaks with the tone of a caring friend who seeks to empower the reader to make wise choices in seeking to achieve success in life’s endeavors.

A particularly interesting characteristic is the fact that Cantrell makes no apologies for his Christian Faith and the formative influence it had on him is his career and leadership decisions when guiding a successful public company. In a culture when one can likely “sell more books” by leaving out details of “faith,” Cantrell continues his unfiltered but gentle position of allowing his faith to inform his decision.

For any leader who seeks to understand how to cast vision, maintain balance between work and home, or simply act appropriately with difficult personnel decisions, this book is a must! For the Christian who believes that his faith is somehow disassociated from other pursuits in life, be prepared to reconsider as you take the journey with Wes “From the Shop Floor to the Top Floor.”  

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.